Vehicle Theft Security System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan, 2004 Dodge Caravan, and 2004 Chrysler Town & Country. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Upon failure of proper Sentry Key Remote Entry Module (SKREEM) communication to the PCM, the PCM will shut off fuel after two seconds of run time. The engine will not re-crank on the key cycle that the failure occurred, a full key down sequence must be performed for the engine to crank again. After six consecutive fuel shut-offs, the engine will no longer crank on subsequent key cycles. The failure must be corrected and a valid communication process between the SKREEM and the PCM must occur for the engine to crank and start again.

The electronics for the VTSS are part of the Body Control Module (BCM). The system is armed when the vehicle is locked using the:

Power door lock switches (with any door ajar)
Remote Keyless Entry transmitter.
Door Cylinder Lock Switches (RG only).

For vehicles equipped with Sentry Key Remote Entry System (SKREES), the doors do not have to be locked to enable the fuel shut off feature.

After the vehicle is locked and the last door is closed, the set LED indicator in the Mechanical Instrument Cluster (MIC) will flash quickly for 16 seconds, indicating that arming is in progress. If no monitored systems are activated during this period, the system will arm. The LED will extinguish unless the liftgate is open. If the liftgate is open, the LED will flash at a slower rate. This indicates that the system is armed.

RG Only - If fault is detected on the driver key cylinder input, the indicator LED will remain solid during the arming process, although the system will still arm.

If the indicator LED does not illuminate at all upon door closing it indicates that the system is not arming.

Passive disarming occurs upon normal vehicle entry by unlocking either door with the remote transmitter (RG - ignition key or remote transmitter). This disarming will also halt the alarm once it has been activated.

A tamper alert exists to notify the driver that the VTSS had been activated. This alert consists of 3 horn pulses when the vehicle is disarmed.

NOTE: The VTSS will not arm by pushing down the door lock mechanism. This will manually override the system.

RG Only - For Door Cylinder Lock Switch Removal and Installation, refer to DOOR CYLINDER LOCK SWITCH - EXPORT .

If the VTSS is triggered, the horn will pulse, headlamps/marker lamps will flash, and the VTSS warning lamp will flash. If BCM determines the threat to be false and the VTSS is not triggered again, the system will shut down and rearm itself after three minutes. If a trigger is still active, the alarm will continue for an additional 15 minutes without the horn. The VTSS monitors the passenger compartment (for RG - Export it also monitors the engine compartment. If a malfunction occurs in the engine compartment, the passenger compartment would still arm and function normally).

NOTE: System will not arm if passenger compartment is not secure.

NOTE: (RG - Export - If hood is not secure during the arming sequence, the lamp will stay lit and not flash. The system will arm with hood not secured and the liftgate open).